A woman, 41-year-old Kelly Greer, was tragically killed in a violent manner and left to decompose, as revealed in an inquest following the discovery of her body alongside her deceased partner, Jonathan Parsons, 34. The incident took place in an address on Mersea Road in Colchester, where police officers found them both after responding to the scene in May of last year.
During the inquest held at Chelmsford Coroners Court, it was disclosed that Mrs. Greer was found in the bedroom of the Peabody accommodation with severe head injuries, amidst broken glass and blood splatters. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, her fingerprints had to be used for identification. Additionally, a claw hammer and a metal bar with traces of blood belonging to Mrs. Greer were discovered in a cupboard, indicating an attempt to clean them.
Prior to her death, Mrs. Greer had attempted to report a domestic abuse incident to Essex Police, but it was not regarded as high risk, and she was offered an appointment that she did not follow up on. On the other hand, Mr. Parsons had a history with the authorities, having previously served a custodial sentence for an attack on a former partner. He was found unresponsive at the same address on May 30, with a forensic post-mortem examination attributing his death to complications of multi-drug toxicity.
Detective Inspector Ben Anido from Essex Police acknowledged missed opportunities in the handling of the case, leading to an internal review. Following a toxicologic assessment, it was revealed that Mrs. Greer had consumed a significant amount of alcohol, potentially impairing her ability to defend herself. Both individuals were known for their struggles with substance abuse.
In his concluding remarks, Senior Coroner for Essex Lincoln Brookes determined that Mrs. Greer’s death was a result of a violent act by Mr. Parsons, leading to an unlawful killing verdict. The coroner expressed condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, noting the tragic nature of the events and the volatile relationship that likely existed between the couple. Mr. Brooks also highlighted the challenges posed by alcohol and drug issues faced by both individuals, emphasizing the need for support and intervention in such cases to prevent future tragedies.
